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Usability Study of Blind Foundation's Alexa Library Skill

Developments in technology have the potential to improve the independence of people with disabilities (Darcy, Maxwell & Green, 2016). For people who are blind or have low vision who use these forms of adaptive technology, alternative assistive technology is often costly. However, Gill (2017) suggests that voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa are a low-cost solution to meeting their needs. The Blind Foundation worked with Sonnar Interactive LTD to create a third-party library skill for the Amazon Alexa voice assistant to provide voice activated audio content access to its members as an alternative to current CDs and app solutions. The Blind Foundation launched their Alexa Usability Study in June 2018 to investigate: 1. Whether Amazon Alexa virtual assistant appeals to Blind Foundation clients. 2. Whether the Blind Foundation Library Skill appeals to Blind Foundation clients as an audio book and magazine delivery service. 3. Whether the Amazon Alexa and Blind Foundation Library Skill can increase: a. Connectivity: feeling more connected to family, friends, and the community; b. Access to Information: users' ability to access information; c. Self-Reliance: more control in the hands of the reader, where they can choose what information they want to consume, where they want to consume it.

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